Cellulose and fiberglass
Blown-In Insulation in Davenport, IA
The low-cost way to reach R-49 in an open attic, and to fill closed walls in older houses.
- Free on-site estimates
- Written quote with foam type, thickness and R-value per area
- Leaks, wiring and damp spots flagged before anything gets covered
Depth for Less Money
Blown-in insulation is loose cellulose or fiberglass that we blow through a hose into an attic or into closed wall cavities. On a wide, open attic floor it is the most economical way to reach a high R-value, and it fills around wires, pipes and odd framing better than batts. In Davenport and across the Quad Cities, it is how we bring most attics up to the R-49 that Iowa's code table lists for Climate Zone 5.
Seal before you blow
Loose fill slows heat but does not stop air. If warm air is leaking through the ceiling, it will move right through new insulation and carry moisture into the attic. So we seal the top plates, wire and pipe holes, chases and fixtures first, usually with spray foam and sealant, and then blow to depth. That order is what makes the difference in comfort and ice dams.
Cellulose or fiberglass
Cellulose is made mostly from recycled paper treated for fire resistance. It is dense, packs well around obstacles and slows air a little better than loose fiberglass. Fiberglass is lighter, does not absorb water the same way and does not settle as much. Fixr lists blown fiberglass at $1.65 to $2.60 per square foot and cellulose at $1.75 to $3.80. Both work. We explain the trade-offs for your attic and put the choice on the quote.
Walls in older houses
Many pre-war houses in Davenport, Moline and Rock Island have empty exterior walls. We can dense-pack cellulose into those walls through small holes drilled from outside or inside, then plug and patch them. HomeGuide lists dense-pack cellulose at $1.60 to $4.20 per square foot. Before we do it, we check for knob-and-tube wiring that is still live, because it should not be buried in insulation.
What depth looks like
To hit R-49, loose fill usually needs to be 14 to 18 inches deep, depending on the material. We set depth markers across the attic so you can see that the depth is there. We install baffles at the eaves to keep the soffit vents open, and we build a dam around the hatch so insulation does not spill.
Adding to what is there
If the existing insulation is dry and clean, we usually leave it and blow on top. If it is wet, moldy, soiled by rodents or looks like vermiculite, we recommend removal or testing first. Get a free estimate
Where We Blow In
Attics and walls where loose fill makes sense.
Open attic floors
Cellulose or fiberglass blown to the target depth over a sealed ceiling.
Topping up old insulation
Adding depth over existing dry insulation.
Dense-pack walls
Cellulose packed into closed wall cavities in older houses.
Floors over unheated spaces
Netted and blown floor cavities over porches and garages.
Hatch dams and baffles
Keeping insulation in place and soffit vents open.
Published Blown-In Costs
| Job | Range and source |
|---|---|
| Blown-in, per sq ft | $1.00 to $2.80 (HomeGuide); $1.65 to $3.80 (Fixr) |
| Attic | $900 to $3,600 (HomeGuide); $1,750 to $5,500 for about 1,500 sq ft (Fixr) |
| Exterior walls | $1,900 to $7,800, $1.10 to $3.70 per sq ft (HomeGuide); $2,000 to $4,000 (Fixr) |
| Dense-pack cellulose | $1.60 to $4.20 per sq ft (HomeGuide) |
| Fiberglass / cellulose | $1.65 to $2.60 / $1.75 to $3.80 per sq ft (Fixr) |
| Typical job | $800 to $3,000 (HomeGuide); $3,000 to $7,000 (Fixr) |
National numbers from HomeGuide (November 2025) and Fixr (August 2025). Depth, access, air sealing and any removal change the total, and our written estimate is the price you pay.
How a Blown-In Job Runs
1. Check
We measure the attic, note existing depth and look for leaks and wiring issues.
2. Quote
Material, depth, R-value and sealing are listed.
3. Seal
Gaps get sealed before insulation goes in.
4. Blow
We blow to depth and set markers.
5. Clean up
We clean the work area and show you the attic.
Why Choose Us for Blown-In Insulation
Sealing included
Air sealing is part of the job.
Depth markers
You can see the depth you paid for.
Honest about walls
We check wiring before we fill a wall.
Blown-In Insulation Questions
Does blown-in insulation settle?
Cellulose settles some after install, so we blow a little extra to account for it. Fiberglass settles less.
Can you blow insulation into walls without tearing them out?
Yes. We drill small holes, dense-pack the cavity and patch the holes. It works best in walls without fire blocking in the way, which we check first.
Is blown-in cheaper than spray foam?
Per R-value on an open attic floor, yes, usually by a wide margin. Foam is worth it in tight spaces and on rim joists.
How deep should blown-in be for R-49?
Usually 14 to 18 inches depending on the product. We set markers so you can check.
Blown-In Insulation Service Areas
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Get a Blown-In Insulation Estimate
Tell us about the attic or walls you want filled. We will look and send a written price.